The Rojiblancos were held to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their last-four clash with the Blues at the Vicente Calderon last Tuesday, prompting many pundits to make Jose Mourinho's men the favourites to progress to next month's tournament decider in Lisbon.

However, Arda says that the tie is still perfectly balanced and that Atletico's faith in themselves has not been affected by their inability to secure a lead to protect in west London.

"[0-0] is neither an advantage nor disadvantage; just a fresh start," the Turkey international told the Andadolu News Agency. "We will see. We are a team that fight for every ball; for every second of the game.

"We believe in our ability, our dream. We chase our dreams and go as far as possible to realise them. Atletico supporters know that we give everything we have on the playing field before leaving it - win or lose. We believe we will reach the final."

Chelsea boss Mourinho came in for some criticism for his side's allegedly negative approach to the first leg but Arda has the utmost respect for the Portuguese and says that neutrals should be bracing themselves for an equally cagey affair at Stamford Bridge, as he feels that Atleti boss Diego Simeone is just as tactically capable as the two-time Champions League winner - if not more so.

"Simeone is on one side and Maurinho on the other ... [A tactical battle] is to expected," he reasoned. "These are perhaps the two best tacticians in the world of football. A tactical battle is normal.

"On or off the field, Mourinho is someone I regard and appreciate highly. As he says himself, he is a special coach. But we, too, have a very special coach. Perhaps he will even surpass Mourinho.

"So, it will be a very good game. Mourinho is a very special technically but Simeone is on his way to becoming the best technical coach in the world."